Feb 12, 2018

Phoebe's Light by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Book description:

Phoebe Starbuck has always adjusted her sails and rudder to the whims of her father. Now, for the first time, she's doing what she wants to do: marrying Captain Phineas Foulger and sailing far away from Nantucket. As she leaves on her grand adventure, her father gives her two gifts, both of which Phoebe sees little need for. The first is an old sheepskin journal from Great Mary, her highly revered great-grandmother. The other is a "minder" on the whaling ship in the form of cooper Matthew Mitchell, a man whom she loathes.

Soon Phoebe discovers that life at sea is no easier than life on land. Lonely, seasick, and disillusioned, she turns the pages of Great Mary's journal and finds herself drawn into the life of this noble woman. To Phoebe's shock, her great-grandmother has left a secret behind that carries repercussions for everyone aboard the ship, especially her husband the captain and her shadow the cooper. This story within a story catapults Phoebe into seeing her life in an entirely new way--just in time.

In this brand-new series, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher brings her signature twists and turns to bear on a fascinating new faith community: the Quakers of colonial-era Nantucket Island.

My thoughts:

Phoebe is a very interesting character, and this first book in a brand new series takes her through many unexpected hurdles to find happiness and independence.

She agreed to marry the handsome captain of a whaling ship, and she really believed that her fairy tale dreams had finally come true. It didn't take long for Phoebe to realize that she had made a drastic mistake. The rest of the book switches between a distant ancestor through her ancient journal, and also Phoebe's life as she discovers secrets from the past that still influence her faith and family.

I found the beginning of this story hard to connect with at first, but so glad that I persevered. Several chapters into the book ... and then I was hooked. I really enjoyed taking the journey along with Phoebe as she made tons of personal discoveries along the way.

Disclosure: Ebook received through Net Galley courtesy of Revell in exchange for my honest review.